Theatre director Emma Callander dicusses the political side of David Greig's Dalgety

The play will be the first fully staged work from Theatre Uncut

Both Theatre Uncut and David MacLennan, curator of A Play, a Pie and a Pint, have their foundations in populist, political theatre. MacLennan’s history with 7:84 reflects his leftist leanings and, as Theatre Uncut’s co-artistic director Emma Callander says, ‘we were founded in 2010 in response to the cuts: the theatre community was very angry and we wanted to respond through theatre.’

David Greig’s Dalgety at Òran Mór is a natural choice for Theatre Uncut’s first fully staged work. Although it began as a project to disseminate new scripts that protested austerity by using the internet, its success has encouraged Theatre Uncut to expand their goals. Originally written and rehearsed in a week as a direct reaction to current events, Dalgety took on some bigger themes and questions. ‘We thought about extending it,’ says Callander. ‘It takes us back to the core of humanity. For me, it’s a reminder to connect with our own bodies and the earth that we stand on.’

Thanks to Greig’s ability to present complex themes through compassionate stories, Dalgety promises to be challenging and playful. ‘It’s about these huge subjects but irreverent and unexpected,’ Callander says. ‘And it is also wonderfully funny.’